MORE ON THE ROLE EVERYDAY SPEECH MAY PLAY IN VIRUS TRANSMISSION. KRISTEN: YOU HAVE HEARD THE TERM SAY IT, DON’T SPRAY IT. YOU MAY BE SPREADING GERMS EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A SPRAYER WHEN YOU TALK. >> WHEN YOU SEE A COUGH OR A SNEEZE, YOU SEE A SPRAY OF DROPLETS. WHEN YOU SPEAK YOU RESPIRATORY POLITIC -- RESPIRATORY DROPLETS. KRISTEN: THIS UC DAVIS PROFESSOR HAS STUDIED AIRBORNE DISEASE TRANSMISSION FOR YEARS. LOOKING AT THE ROLE SPEECH PLAYS IN SPREADING THE FLU. WHAT HE FOUND STRONGLY IMPLIES THE VIRUS COULD BE TRANSMITTED WHEN WE TALK, THROUGH PARTICLES AS SMALL AS ONE MICRON. >> WHEN YO SNEEZE OR COUGH, IF YOU CAN SEE DROPLETS, THE LIMIT OF RESOLUTION OF THE HUMAN EYE IS 30 MICRONS. KRISTE THOSE DROPLETS TRAVEL SIX FEET BEFORE GRAVITY TAKES OVER. THE PARTICLES WE ADMIT BY TALKING ARE SO SMALL THAT THEY CAN FLOAT IN THE AIR MUCH FARTHER. >> IF YOU HAVE A KITCHEN AND ARE IN YOUR OFFICE SOMEWHERE. IF SOMEONE IS MAKING CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES YOU WILL SMELL THEM. HOW DID THE AROMA MOLECULES GET THERE? NOBODY HAD TO COUGH OR SNEEZE TH, IT IS CARRIED BY NATURAL CURRENTS IN THE VENTILATION UNTIL THEY REACH YOUR NOSE. KRISTEN: WHAT IS UNKNOWN IS WHY SOME PEOPLE ADMIT MORE THAN OTHER PEOPLE WHEN THEY TALK. THE PROFESSOR CALLS THEM SUPER EMITTERS. IF THAT PERSON HAS A VIRUS, THEY COULD BE A SUPER SPREADER. OTHER THINGS TO KNOW, SUPER EMITTERS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES. THERE IS NO WAY TO IDENTIFY THEM BY SITE. LOUD TALKERS COULD BE EMITTING MORE PARTICLES. WEARING A MASK IS BETTER THAN NOT WEARING A MASK. BUT IT’S NOT A FULL PROOF SOLUTION.

Could an infected person spread COVID-19 just by talking? That’s one question scientists are asking, and they’re turning to research by a professor at the University of California Davis for some answers. William Ristenpart's work, done before the novel coronavirus outbreak, focused on influenza and the role speech plays in its transmission. While Ristenpart said the same research has not yet been done with COVID-19, his work strongly implies that the virus could also potentially be transmitted via respiratory particles when people talk.Here are five things to know about how that might happen:1) Respiratory particles are tinyThe average respiratory particle that people emit when talking is one micron in size. For reference, one strand of hair is 50 to 100 microns. A droplet that’s emitted when you sneeze or spit may be about 30 microns. But, scientists believe one micron of emission could harbor plenty of virus.2) Droplets can travel up to 6 feet Droplets emitted when you cough or sneeze travel up to six feet before gravity takes over. That’s why health officials tell people to stand six feet apart.But, tiny respiratory particles that people emit while talking are light. They stay airborne much longer — and therefore can travel much farther.3) Particles can travel through buildingsThink of a batch of cookies baking or a pot of coffee brewing in a room across a house. The aroma is carried through the building's ventilation so that everyone in the home can eventually smell it.That’s how respiratory particle emissions from talking might also be carried through a building.4) Super emittersSome people emit more particles, and scientists don’t know why. Super emitters, as they’re called, come in all shapes and sizes. There doesn’t appear to be any characteristics that identify a super emitter. But, scientists do believe that loud talkers may emit more particles than those who speak softly.5) Masks can help While masks are not foolproof, Ristenpart said it’s better to wear one than not. However, if your glasses fog up when you talk with a mask on, you can be sure a lot of particles are escaping. So, you may want to make adjustments to your mask. Regardless of whether you’re wearing a mask or not, scientists say you should still stand six feet apart.

DAVIS, Calif. —

Could an infected person spread COVID-19 just by talking?

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That’s one question scientists are asking, and they’re turning to research by a professor at the University of California Davis for some answers.

William Ristenpart's work, done before the novel coronavirus outbreak, focused on influenza and the role speech plays in its transmission.

While Ristenpart said the same research has not yet been done with COVID-19, his work strongly implies that the virus could also potentially be transmitted via respiratory particles when people talk.

Here are five things to know about how that might happen:

1) Respiratory particles are tiny

The average respiratory particle that people emit when talking is one micron in size.

For reference, one strand of hair is 50 to 100 microns. A droplet that’s emitted when you sneeze or spit may be about 30 microns.

But, scientists believe one micron of emission could harbor plenty of virus.

2) Droplets can travel up to 6 feet

Droplets emitted when you cough or sneeze travel up to six feet before gravity takes over.

That’s why health officials tell people to stand six feet apart.

But, tiny respiratory particles that people emit while talking are light. They stay airborne much longer — and therefore can travel much farther.

3) Particles can travel through buildings

Think of a batch of cookies baking or a pot of coffee brewing in a room across a house. The aroma is carried through the building's ventilation so that everyone in the home can eventually smell it.

That’s how respiratory particle emissions from talking might also be carried through a building.

4) Super emitters

Some people emit more particles, and scientists don’t know why.

Super emitters, as they’re called, come in all shapes and sizes. There doesn’t appear to be any characteristics that identify a super emitter.

But, scientists do believe that loud talkers may emit more particles than those who speak softly.

5) Masks can help

While masks are not foolproof, Ristenpart said it’s better to wear one than not.

However, if your glasses fog up when you talk with a mask on, you can be sure a lot of particles are escaping. So, you may want to make adjustments to your mask.

Regardless of whether you’re wearing a mask or not, scientists say you should still stand six feet apart.